48v panels (65 cents per watt)

The Vmpp and Voc look low to be a real 48-volt panel. Fairly low efficiency.

12thgenusa wrote:
The Vmpp and Voc look low to be a real 48-volt panel. Fairly low efficiency.

Good point. The 100w looks like a high voltage 24v unit and the rest look mostly like 36v.

Price per watt is what got my eye. Those voltages should work fine with the right controller if you have the real estate. Seems like it is always the lower efficiency panels that are the best prices.

Jim

You will hit most battery controller Vmax before you have much wattage.
These are made to be matched with a grid tie inverter where the Vmax is 600v+.

Could you just parallel higher voltage panels, the way you series parallel lower voltage ones, to the same effect?

Jim

HiTech wrote:
Could you just parallel higher voltage panels, the way you series parallel lower voltage ones, to the same effect?

Jim

Yes. At least I would.

EDIT: Can't use these with the Eco-worthy controller. Darn.

I'm getting to the point where I would only trust a real-life report from someone I respect to post actual data results from a panel MPPT marriage. Too many "almosts" and "ought-to-be's" for my comfort.

Mex, do you really need the proof of the obvious? :) MPPT converts V to A. Doesn't matter how high V, as long as V max of the array is within the controller specs. You can connect 2*48V panels in series if controller Vmax=100.
Some restrictions apply: when max output current of the controller is less than total array current after conversion - doesn't matter how many panels in the array - the excess Amps will be cut off.

If the solar industry could just get that efficiency up. It's still pretty pathetic at 12%.

But I love the idea of higher voltage panels.